Control Unit for Cistern Water System

[Meredith]

We are looking for solutions to utilize a cistern as a water storage option to manage our low yield/low reserve (1.5 gpm/~60 gallon reserve) well. Have tried fracking with minimal improvement and now are considering installing a cistern to store water for when our water demand exceeds our typical daily use (holidays, houseguests, etc. where we can tend to run well dry).

Looking for a control unit (computerized?) that will do a couple of things:
1. cycle pump on/off periodically (every half or one hour) for a maximum of 30 gallons each period
2. float switch to stop pumping once cistern is full, until water level drops again.

This control unit seems to be the one piece to this puzzle that we haven’t figured out and hoped someone might be able to make some suggestions.

Thanks.

 

[Reach4]

The normal way to do this is to use a unit that detects when the pump runs out of water. It then shuts down the pump for a programmable amount of time.

It does this by monitoring the power drawn by the pump. Cycle Sensor is one such device. http://www.cyclestopvalves.com/prod_sensor.html Pumptec and Pumpsaver Plus are others.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Valveman]

1.5 GPM is 2,160 gallons per day, as long as you have a way to store it.

 

[Meredith]

The normal way to do this is to use a unit that detects when the pump runs out of water. It then shuts down the pump for a programmable amount of time.

It does this by monitoring the power drawn by the pump. Cycle Sensor is one such device. http://www.cyclestopvalves.com/prod_sensor.html Pumptec and Pumpsaver Plus are others.

Thanks so much for the input. We already use a pump saver on our well pump. We're looking to build a system that will be better for the well pump and not just turn it off when it runs dry. Our pump is 180' down and can only be pulled up by hand because of its location so we want to insure the longest possible lifespan.

 

[Reach4]

1. cycle pump on/off periodically (every half or one hour) for a maximum of 30 gallons each period

Cycling the pump on and off will not be better for the pump.

You have a 1/2 HP pump 7 GPM pump?. So 30 gallons would be around 5 minutes.

 

[Valveman]

You can set one of these sensitive enough to shut the pump off BEFORE the well is dry. But I think you are making a mountain out of a mole hill.